Now, here's a thought. Depending on room price, I have a friend that runs the Courtyard by Marriott at the Airport. Is anyone game at me checking for a block of rooms? Hotel has a Bar (would I put you guys anywhere withOUT a bar?), Restaurant, airport shuttle, and it's right at Lake Hood/ANC.

Probably not the cheapest in town, but most certainly not the most expensive. Just a thought - trying to help.

I'll rent a big van so we can travel in less than thirty-nine vehicles. Easier in ANC in the winter.

Damn, that sounds like real fun... alas, there's absolutely no way I can work that into my budget. January is even worse, as it's quite a heavy season for Central America - U.S. travel, with all the ex-pats returning to the 'States after spending the holidays here... thus sending the ticket prices through the roof. Maybe for the next one...

From the previous thread:

Quoting Superfly:That's why I am going to try to get Carmenlu to attend this meet.

Well, I can send FlyingNanook as my legal representative...

Don't expect to see me around that much (if at all) -- the contact link should still work, though.

Which years calendar are you looking at ?
That's 2007 dates
2008= Fri Jan 4th and Mon Jan 7th.

I spent an hour last night trying to get info out of Star Alliance on how the #%$#&^%$ to get to ANC from YYC using my Aeroplan points. If I have to, I'll drive it, it's only 3400 KM each way. Besides, it's all part of the adventure.

I like the hotel idea, check on prices and let's see what the consensus is.

Quoting ANCFlyer (Thread starter):Now, here's a thought. Depending on room price, I have a friend that runs the Courtyard by Marriott at the Airport.

I'm up for that - though we ought to check w/ the downtown hotels as well see if there'd be anything comporable. If I remember there's not much w/in walking distance of the Courtyard, and while you don't necessarily want to go for stroll in the dead of January, there are few interesting things downtown to walk to.

"The two most common elements in the universe are Hydrogen and stupidity"

Quoting Searpqx (Reply 9):I'm up for that - though we ought to check w/ the downtown hotels as well see if there'd be anything comporable. If I remember there's not much w/in walking distance of the Courtyard, and while you don't necessarily want to go for stroll in the dead of January, there are few interesting things downtown to walk to.

I'll do exactly that.

DOWNTOWN:
The Howard Johnson (formerly Holiday Inn) is a shit hole. Wouldn't want to put you guys there, but it might be dead cheap in winter. And w/in walking distance of all of downtown brewpups, restaurants, and overlooks the Inlet, Susitna, railroad yard, etc.

Hilton wayyy too pricey, even in winter.

Westmark might be an option as well, has balconies. The restaurant sucks, but hey.

The Sheraton is a) too far east on 5th/6th avenue (10 blocks from downtown) b) is in a lousy neighborhood.

There is the "Big" Marriott at 7th and L now. Nice place, if not a little austere . . . . if we had ten people in the lobby bar, we'd max out the capacity.

There's a Days Inn across from the Sheraton. Same issues as the Sheraton.

There's also the West Coast International Inn near the airport (about 500 feet from the Courtyard). It's a realllllly old property, and unattractive. Price may be right though. Restaurant and Bar on site.

And the Millenium Anchorage directly across from the Courtyard. Pricey, nice, decent eats and drinks, right on Lake Hood. Might get them to cut a deal.

There are other smaller, "less attractive" downtown places. I would not, however, put anyone at any of them. Unless they are armed.

MIDTOWN:
Hilton Garden Inn (Corner of C and Tudor). New place. Will check it out next Tues as I have a conference there. Best part - only 5 blocks from my condo

Hampon Inn (same corner, opposite side). New Place also. Never been in there. Next to Applebees and TGI Fridays and Sea Galley.

It'll be -35F and that damn thing has R9 insulation . . . . there ain't enough propane on the planet to keep the icicles off your nut sack in that kinda weather - but it's all yours. I'll toss the TV and VCR/DVD in there for grins.
The RV will be wrapped up tightly in a green (not blue) tarp and stuck on the back 40 of Ft. Richardson by mid-October. It won't see the sun again until May 2008.

Of course, I knew you were in - I just di'nt wanna speak fer ya. . . .

Quoting ANCFlyer (Thread starter):Now, here's a thought. Depending on room price, I have a friend that runs the Courtyard by Marriott at the Airport. Is anyone game at me checking for a block of rooms?

As far as airfare goes, would you guys recommend that I look for a cheap WN deal up to SEA and then an AS deal to ANC? So far I've found round trips in the range of $550 from AUS with Delta and Northwest - just wondering if I should wait for the cheap WN seasonal specials to see if I could do any better.

Quoting NWA742 (Reply 22):As far as airfare goes, would you guys recommend that I look for a cheap WN deal up to SEA and then an AS deal to ANC? So far I've found round trips in the range of $550 from AUS with Delta and Northwest - just wondering if I should wait for the cheap WN seasonal specials to see if I could do any better.